Just a quick testimonial of cultural integration within Dutch culture...
If it wasn´t strange enough for them to live 6 meters under sea-level and be in a constant state of fear of a collapse of the dykes system (thanks God no one´s had the idea of hijacking a ship an hitting them), Chritsmas here is kind of different from most of the western world.
A summary:
.Santa Claus (Sinter Klaas) is thin;
.he dresses like a priest;
.he comes from SPAIN;
.in a BOAT!;
.he walks around on a horse;
.his helpers are small black guys, which have been legally forbidden to be pictured as black in an state effort to reduce prejudice;
.if you´re a bad boy your punishment is not only staying out of Sinter Klaas´ list...you´ll be taken to Spain inside a potato bag and will become one of his slaves!!!
.finally...he comes on December FIVE!!!!!!
.before someone asks...Dutch kids receive gifts on both 5 and 25 of December.